Xining

Xining is the capital city of Qinghai province in western China. It is the largest city located on the Tibetan Plateau.

The city sits within the Huangshui River Valley. This valley is part of the larger Yellow River system. Because of its high altitude, Xining has a cool climate. It sits on the border between semi-arid and dry winter humid continental zones. Some people call it the Summer Resort Capital of China. This is because the summers stay quite cool.

The geography of Xining is defined by its position on the eastern edge of the plateau. The city is located in a fertile mountain basin. This basin is formed by the Huangshui River. The river acts as a port for the area. The climate is influenced by both the high altitude and the dry air. Nights are often cold or cool throughout the entire year. The daily temperature change can be very large. Rainfall usually occurs between May and September. However, the city is often dry and very sunny. It receives about 2,540 hours of bright sunshine every year.

Xining has a history lasting over 2,100 years. In ancient times, it was a major commercial hub. It sat along the Hexi Corridor on the Northern Silk Road. Traders used these caravan routes to move goods like timber, wool, and salt.

During the Han dynasty, a county called Linqiang was made to manage local tribes. The city saw much warfare during the Sui and Tang dynasties. In 763, Tibetan forces took control of the area. The Song dynasty recovered the city in 1104. They gave it the name Xining, which means "peace in the west."

Religious history is also very important to the city. The Kumbum Monastery was founded in the late 16th century. It was built on the birthplace of the Gelug founder, Tsongkhapa. This made Xining a center for the Gelug School of Buddhists.

The city also contains the Dongguan Mosque. This is one of the most famous mosques in northwest China.

Other sites include the Beishan Si, which is a Taoist temple. There are also more than 300 Christian meeting points in the city.

The population of Xining has grown significantly over time. The 2020 census recorded 2,467,965 inhabitants. Of these people, 1,954,795 lived in the built-up metro area. This area is made of five urban districts. Xining is the first city on the upper reaches of the Yellow River to reach millions of people. The city is very diverse. About 37 different nationalities live there. The largest groups are the Han, Hui, Tibetan, and Tu people.

This diversity shapes the local traditions and customs.

Modern Xining is a center for industry and technology. The city has many textile mills that process wool. It also has industries for leather, meat, milk, and salt.

In the year 2000, the Xining Economic and Technological Development Zone was approved. This zone is the first of its kind on the Tibetan Plateau. It focuses on high-tech areas like biotechnology and new materials. It also works with chemicals from salt lake resources. The city uses coal from Datong County and electricity from the Liujiaxia Dam to power its growth.

Transportation links make Xining a vital hub for the region. The city is connected to the national rail network by the Lanzhou–Qinghai Railway. This line was extended to Lhasa, Tibet, in 2006.

There is also a high-speed railway. This line connects Xining to Lanzhou and Ürümqi. These connections help move people and goods across the plateau. While the city grows, it faces challenges like air quality. A 2011 report noted that its air quality was among the lowest in western China. Efforts continue to manage the rivers and infrastructure to support the growing population.